Bennett County COVID-19 Procedures

The Bennett County Board of County Commissioners has adopted recommendations of the Bennett County Emergency Manager during this time of pandemic due to COVID-19. Those recommendations are as follows:

1. If any Bennett County employee has left the state within the past 7 days and traveled to any state that is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, that employee must quarantine themselves for a period of 14 days, at home.

2. That each public office that is open will allow the elderly and vulnerable citizens priority to the first hour and a half of that business day.

Note: We respectfully ask the general public to not utilize County offices during that time period.

3. That, as of March 24, 2020, County employees will continue normal business hours of operation.

Note: The County respectfully requests that any business that may be conducted by telephone or U.S. Mail be done to avoid large amounts at Community Offices. Please remember that the CDC has recommended no groups of more than 10 people at this time. Thus, please consider alternative measures. Please call our offices with any questions. We can provide you with information on how to do business from home where available.

4. If an employee becomes ill it is recommended that the employee goes home. If the employee is symptomatic of the COVID-19 virus, they must be tested and approved to return to work. The guidelines of the sick leave policy will apply to all other sickness.

5. We encourage all employees to do their part with self-hygiene and keeping work areas clean.

6. All trash can liners shall be changed out daily.

7. All public areas shall be disinfected daily, including, but not limited to handrails and doorknobs.

8. Public meetings should be held by conference call where available.

Note: Please call County officers if you are able prior to appearing personally at said offices. The County staff are trying to limit personal meetings and are going to utilize telephone communication wherever it can.

ALTHOUGH WE ARE LIMITING PUBLIC CONTACT, residents will still have access to the Court systems. In order to access the court system all a person needs to do is contact the Bennett County Clerk of Courts at (605) 685-6969 and/or the Bennett County State’s Attorney’s office (605) 685-6986. The court system in Bennett County remains accessible to anyone in the public that needs it.

BENNETT COUNTY RESIDENTS wishing to renew their vehicle tags, should visit the website below during this time to limit public within the Courthouse Building. If you are unable to do so, you may also contact the Bennett County Treasurer at (605) 685-6092 and the Treasurer’s office can take a debit or credit card over the phone. Or, checks may be sent to the Treasurer’s office at PO Box 606, Martin, SD 57551 and the registration can be sent to the resident’s home address.

https://dor.sd.gov/individuals/motor-vehicle

BENNETT COUNTY RESIDENTS wishing to pay property taxes may call in to get their tax total, if needed. Residents may send a written check and send it to the Bennett County Treasurer at PO Box 606, Martin, SD 57551. It is helpful to include the parcel number on the check memo or to include a note within the envelope the parcel numbers the check should be applied to.

The Bennett County Auditor will continue to accept petitions in person at the Bennett County Auditors Office until the deadline of March 31, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

ATTENTION!!

EFFECTIVE TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2020:

The Bennett County Commissioners are asking all community members to limit personal use of the County Courthouse.

However, all offices within the Courthouse will be staffed and conducting business.

This is done as a precaution against COVID-19.

Auditor 605-685-6931 bcauditor@gwtc.net

Director of Equalization 605-685-6991 bcdoe@gwtc.net

Register of Deeds 605-685-6054 bcrod@gwtc.net

Treasurer 605-685-6092 bctreas@gwtc.net

State’s Attorney Office 605-685-6986 bennettcosa@gwtc.net

Clerk of Courts 605-685-6969 Rebecca.klaudt@ujs.state.sd.us

On behalf of the Bennett County Board of County Commissioners and all of the Bennett County employees, we want to thank the community for its understanding in this difficult time.